The Real Problem with AI Disruption? We’re Running Out of Time

In the conversation about AI and the future of work, it’s become trendy to say: “AI won’t replace you, but someone who knows how to use it will.”

But here’s a more pressing truth:  We’re not running out of jobs.  We’re running out of time.

In our recent study conducted in partnership with InsightJam.com, nearly 90% of tech professionals said they expect AI to disrupt their roles.

But most believe that disruption is still years away.

It’s not.

In a separate industry survey, more than 60% of companies reported plans to implement AI within the next 12 months, automating tasks that people are still doing today.

This means we’re facing a dangerous misalignment.  Our professional timelines are out of sync with business realities.  And this misalignment is magnified by the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

Two challenges in particular stand out.  Both hinge on time:

1. Soft Skills Take Time to Build and They’re More Important Than Ever

Skills like resilience, curiosity, and perspective-taking are foundational, not optional. These are the skills that help individuals adapt to ambiguity, learn from failure, and collaborate across perspectives, all of which are critical when roles are evolving rapidly.

But here’s the catch: Building soft skills require coaching, feedback, and deliberate, ongoing development. That kind of growth takes time and must be supported by a work culture that values more than just speed and developmental tools like myGiide.

2. Technical Skills Are Becoming Obsolete Faster Than Ever

On the other side of the equation, technical skills now have a shorter half-life. What you mastered five years ago might already be outdated.

This means we’re all going to need to become lifelong learners, ready to re-skill and upskill continuously. And while technical training can be faster to implement than soft skills, it still requires dedicated time, space, and intention.

What This Means for Organizations

Both problems—developing soft skills and keeping technical skills fresh—are solvable. But they require a reimagining of our training and development systems.

We need solutions that:

·      Keep pace with rapidly shifting technologies

·      Allow space for employees to grow, not just execute

·      Prioritize both what we need now and what we’ll need next

At Skiilify, we design development strategies that account for both speed and depth because durable growth doesn’t happen in a sprint, and future readiness isn’t a last-minute fix.